Organisers of MCM Comic Con Birmingham have announced that the November 2020 event has been cancelled.
The pop-culture convention – with special guests from TV and film, stalls of merchandise and colourful cosplayers – usually takes place at the NEC twice a year.
The first of the two annual events, originally scheduled for March, had been moved to June, but was then cancelled.
And now the second event, scheduled for November 14 and 15, has also been axed for 2020 after the Government said it would not be allowing exhibition halls to reopen from October, following a surge in coronavirus cases.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
The two-day spectaculars see thousands of sci-fi fans, gamers, comic collectors and movie buffs gather in Birmingham
A statement from convention officials said: “Today, we would like to let our community know that our MCM Comic Con Birmingham event, scheduled for November 2020, will no longer be taking place.
“This announcement follows the Government’s recently updated event rules for England.
“MCM Comic Con is home to thousands of loving, passionate and creative fans who inspire us every day. We miss you and we look forward to a time when we can once again open our doors, and give you the safe and memorable events you deserve.
“Although we can’t yet celebrate together physically, we aren’t going anywhere.
“We have been working hard on a worldwide first for all our fans across the globe, and this October (8-11), we invite you to join us in the New York Comic Con X MCM Comic Con Metaverse.”
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The Metaverse brings together pop culture favourites for an online event instead, with a host of special guests and other activities – find out more here
The Government updated its guidance on September 22 after rising cases of coronavirus in England.
It said at the time: “The spread of the virus is also affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibition halls and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from 1 October.”
Guidance now bans gatherings of more than six people, whether indoors or outdoors.
Venues can host larger numbers overall if following Covid guidance – but only in groups of six with no mixing allowed between parties.
Coronavirus rules have stopped many events taking place, including Birmingham’s German Christmas Market.
